Product description

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time "The Proud Tower, "the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Guns of August, " and "The Zimmerman Telegram" comprise Barbara W. Tuchman's classic histories of the First World War era In this landmark, Pulitzer Prize-winning account, renowned historian Barbara W. Tuchman re-creates the first month of World War I: thirty days in the summer of 1914 that determined the course of the conflict, the century, and ultimately our present world. Beginning with the funeral of Edward VII, Tuchman traces each step that led to the inevitable clash. And inevitable it was, with all sides plotting their war for a generation. Dizzyingly comprehensive and spectacularly portrayed with her famous talent for evoking the characters of the war's key players, Tuchman's magnum opus""is a classic for the ages. Praise for "The Guns of August" "A brilliant piece of military history which proves up to the hilt the force of Winston Churchill's statement that the first month of World War I was 'a drama never surpassed.'"--"Newsweek" "More dramatic than fiction . . . a magnificent narrative--beautifully organized, elegantly phrased, skillfully paced and sustained."--"Chicago Tribune"" " "A fine demonstration that with sufficient art rather specialized history can be raised to the level of literature."--"The New York Times"" " "["The Guns of August"] has a vitality that transcends its narrative virtues, which are considerable, and its feel for characterizations, which is excellent."--"The Wall Street Journal" "From the Trade Paperback edition."

Author information

Barbara W. Tuchman (1912-1989) achieved prominence as a historian with "The Zimmermann Telegram "and international fame with "The Guns of August"--a huge bestseller and winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Her other works include "Bible and Sword, The Proud Tower, Stilwell and the American Experience in China "(for which Tuchman was awarded a second Pulitzer Prize), "Notes from China, A Distant Mirror, Practicing History, The March of Folly, "and "The First Salute."

Customer reviews

There has not been written a better book on the first month of the First World War. Extremely well researched, well written and compelling. It took some time to start reading the book but after the first pages there was no stopping!
Although the book was first printed in 1962, it is still current an factual. Tuchman is capable of letting you feel the terror of this war and makes you aware that the German army was very close to winning this war in the first four weeks and that it was the decision of a German general that changed the whole course of it. But.. that is only my conclusion.

Review quote

"A brilliant piece of military history which proves up to the hilt the force of Winston Churchill's statement that the first month of World War I was 'a drama never surpassed.'"--"Newsweek" "More dramatic than fiction . . . a magnificent narrative--beautifully organized, elegantly phrased, skillfully paced and sustained."--"Chicago Tribune"" " "A fine demonstration that with sufficient art rather specialized history can be raised to the level of literature."--"The New York Times"" " "["The Guns of August"] has a vitality that transcends its narrative virtues, which are considerable, and its feel for characterizations, which is excellent."--"The Wall Street Journal"